AFCON 2025 Group D started with the Congo DR vs Benin match on Tuesday (December 23, 2025), where Congo DR clinched a narrow 1-0 victory in a game defined by efficiency over possession.
In the meantime, the later Senegal vs Botswana match in the AFCON 2025 Group D ended in a one-sided battle.
Key Match Stats of Congo DR vs Benin (AFCON 2025: Group D)
Match Result: Congo DR 1 – 0 Benin
Possession: Congo DR 40% – 60% Benin
Passing Accuracy (Passing Accuracy In Opponents’ Half): Congo DR 74% (63%) – 84% (66%) Benin
Shots (On Target): Congo DR 11 (3) – 12 (2) Benin
Shots Off Target (Outside Of Box*): Congo DR 5 (3) – 10 (6) Benin
Yellow Cards: Congo DR 3 – 3 Benin
*Here, Outside Of Box counted only for shots off target
Important Facts of Congo DR vs Benin (AFCON 2025: Group D)
- Arthur Masuaku’s long delivery resulted in a goal for the Congo DR as the unmarked Théo Bongonda made no mistake in netting the ball in the 16th minute.
- In the 2nd minute of the second half, Congo DR forward Cédric Bakambu had a successful header from a cross to net the ball, but Nathanaël Mbuku was offside before delivering the effective cross, as the VAR ruled out the goal.
- Benin were stronger in possession, along with overall passing accuracy and passing accuracy in the opponents’ half, but their lack of effective shots and impatience (high ineffective outside the box shots) resulted against their favour.